News Releases

( 2/1/13)SAN FRANCISCO — On Tuesday, February 5, officials will gather at the Sunrise Landfill, located on the eastern edge of Las Vegas, to see the newly completed construction and repairs to the 440 acre landfill. The $60 million project includes new erosion and stormwater controls, a new cover system, landfill gas and groundwater monitoring systems, and a long-term maintenance and management program.

Technical advances in developing the unique erosion-resistant cover of the landfill are a model for other desert landfill sites needing similar protections from erosion and water infiltration. The cover uses an innovative soil and gravel mixture to armor the cover, control erosion and secure the waste. Work was completed using clean diesel vehicles to protect residents of Las Vegas from air pollution during construction.

The Sunrise Landfill received 18 million tons of Las Vegas municipal waste from 1953-1993. In 1998 a major rainstorm washed out part of the landfill, sending tons of waste into Las Vegas Wash, polluting the water that leads to Lake Mead, the source of drinking water for Las Vegas, much of Arizona, and Southern California.

Meeting point is the trailer near the main entrance gate. Tour will leave at 9:45 am.

RSVP:Please RSVP in advance with name, contact info (include email and phone) and media affiliation to Rusty Harris-Bishop by 5:00 pm Monday, February 4, to participate, 415.972.3140 or harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov

Closed-toe, comfortable shoes recommended

EPA will continue to work with Clark County and the Las Vegas business community to reduce materials ending up in landfills. Through sustainable materials management we can reduce the environmental impacts of widely-used everyday items over their entire life cycle, including how they are extracted, manufactured, distributed, used, reused, recycled, and disposed